Man charged with smuggling drugs into jail

Thursday

Mar 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

A Wolverine man who was sentenced to prison last fall for several breaking and enterings was arraigned Wednesday on new charges.

By MIKE FORNESmike@cheboygantribune.com

A Wolverine man who was sentenced to prison last fall for several breaking and enterings was arraigned Wednesday on new charges. Thomas Jeffery Skinner Jr., 27, appeared for arraignment via Polycom video connection from Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson, Mich., in connection with charges of delivery/conspiracy to deliver/furnishing/ possession of contraband while in the Cheboygan County Jail.A court affidavit states that Skinner allegedly reported to jail after sentencing Oct. 23, 2012, with the drug Suboxone concealed in fingers of an examination glove that were concealed in a body cavity. The drug, in both tablet and sublingual film strip form, was then offered to at least four jail inmates. Two prisoners accepted the drug, trading for a breakfast tray in one case and another for a brownie and candy bar.“Bringing contraband (drugs) into the jail is a felony and we make diligent and exhaustive efforts to ensure the security of the jail,” Cheboygan County Sheriff Dale Clarmont said Wednesday. “When caught, you will be held accountable.” Corrections officers noticed Skinner holding a cup with an unknown substance the morning after his arrival while he was waiting for transfer to the Michigan Department of Corrections. A follow-up investigation verified the drug as Suboxone and produced inmates who told of either being offered the drugs or trading food for them.In October 2012, Skinner also received concurrent sentences of 17 months to 4 years and 23 months to 10 years in prison after admitting guilt to three counts of second-degree home invasion and one charge of larceny in a building. Two other counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Skinner is being charged as a four-time habitual offender and his enhanced sentence, if convicted, must run consecutively after his original time is completed.A preliminary examination is scheduled for March 27 and may be held via the court’s teleconferencing link to the Jackson prison.